Unflattering Easter Egg in Borderlands 4 may be a reference to former Gearbox owner

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Borderlands 4 includes a location that seems to allude to Embracer Group, the company that previously owned Gearbox Software. The reference, though, appears to be critical or unflattering.

A poke in the Embracer’s nose?

Kotaku reports that players have found a strange location called Embracer’s Bluff in Borderlands 4. It’s a dilapidated town filled with garbage and offers two quests. The town is ruled by a character who can be found relaxing in a jacuzzi, wearing a crown, and surrounded by adult toys.

Here’s some background to help you understand this. In 2021, Embracer Group bought Gearbox Software, the studio behind the *Borderlands* series, for $1.3 billion. But in 2023, Embracer went through big changes and decided to sell Gearbox to Take-Two for $460 million – which is almost three times less than what they originally paid.

Randy Pitchford, the head of Gearbox Software, revealed in a PC Gamer interview before Borderlands 4 launched that the game’s story drew some inspiration from the recent changes in studio ownership.

Considering all of this, it seems unlikely that the name “Embracer’s Bluff” was chosen randomly. The way the location is depicted strongly implies that Gearbox doesn’t have a positive view of the previous owner. This is highlighted by the use of the word “Bluff,” and reinforced by a mission involving a strange AI toilet – a technology that Embracer Group is actively investing in.

However, these ideas haven’t been officially confirmed, so it could all just be a coincidence – though the players themselves are certain something more is happening.

Borderlands 4 is currently available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 next month. While critics generally liked the game, players have been much more critical, citing significant performance problems.

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2025-09-15 13:03